Government of Newfoundland News

The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Justice and Public Safety today announced the appointment of Michael King as Provincial Court judge for Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Mr. King was the previous director of the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT-NL).

Minister Davis has also announced the appointment Stephen Ring as interim director of SIRT-NL. A competition process for the permanent director position for SIRT-NL will begin in the coming weeks.

Both appointments are effective immediately.

Biographies of both appointees can be found in the backgrounder below.

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“Congratulations to Judge Michael King to his appointment to the Bench in Happy Valley Goose-Bay. I thank him for his important work and dedication to his previous role as the director of SIRT-NL. I also congratulate Stephen Ring on his appointment as interim Director of SIRT-NL. Both Mr. King and Mr. Ring demonstrate high levels of professionalism, legal insight and determination, and their appointments will be of great benefit to the province.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

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BACKGROUNDER

Biographies of Newly Appointed Provincial Court Judge and Interim Director of SIRT-NL
Michael King
In September 2019, Michael King was appointed for a five-year term as the first civilian Director of SIRT-NL. He was reappointed to that position for an additional term of five years effective September 30, 2024. Mr. King graduated from University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Laws in 2003. Following his articles of law with the Crown Attorney’s Office, he was admitted to the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar in 2004. Prior to his appointment as Director, SIRT-NL, Mr. King worked as legal counsel in private practice, with experience in both civil and criminal matters and appearances in all levels of court in Newfoundland and Labrador. He completed his undergraduate degree in 2000, receiving a Bachelor of Arts (English) from Memorial University.

Mr. King is currently Vice-President of the Canadian Association of Civilian Oversight in Law Enforcement, having served as a Board member for that organization since 2022. He also previously served as Bar Admission Course Instructor for the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and as Chair of the Criminal Section for the Canadian Bar Association, NL Branch.

Stephen Ring
Stephen Ring has been a solicitor with the Department of Justice and Public Safety since 2001. He has spent over half of his career giving legal advice to corrections and community services.

Other roles within the Department of Justice and Safety included Director of the Access to Information and Protection Office and Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission. Most recently, Mr. Ring held the position of Director of the Civil Division and was responsible for giving legal advice to the Department of Finance and Treasury Board Secretariat.

Mr. Ring has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Memorial University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta.

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Residents are invited to attend an open house to discuss proposed protected areas for Halls Gullies and Ripple Pond on the Avalon Peninsula. These public engagement initiatives are being facilitated by the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC).

In-person open houses for residents and stakeholders will take place at the following locations:

• Whitbourne Elementary School, Whitbourne, Sunday, November 24, 2024, 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Fergus and Fred Linehan Heritage Centre, Colinet, Monday, November 25, 2024, 2:00 p.m. – 7:00p.m.

There is also an online questionnaire available for those who would like to provide their feedback. The deadline for the online questionnaire is December 20, 2024.

Information about the two proposed protected areas is available on Home For Nature: Public Engagements on Proposed Protected Areas | EngageNL.

For more details on these and other protected sites, visit the Environment and Climate Change website.

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, will participate in the release of the St. John’s’ Community Plan to End Homelessness 2024-2028 tomorrow (Thursday, November 21).

The event will take place at the St. John’s Community Market, 245 Freshwater Road, at 10:00 a.m.

The Community Plan is a project of End Homelessness St. John’s, made possible through the participation of numerous individuals and organizations. End Homelessness St. John’s works collaboratively with community and public system stakeholders towards preventing and ending homelessness in St. John’s.

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Dr. Scott Reid, Minister Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation:

Speaker, I rise in this honourable House to talk about two important events that brought Indigenous communities together as we honoured the Beothuk with statue unveilings in Botwood and St. John’s.

On September 30, bronze statues were unveiled in Botwood to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of a young Beothuk woman, Demasduit, her husband Nonosabasut, and their newborn child.

It is a tragic story, but confronting uncomfortable truths from our past is necessary on the path to reconciliation.

In St. John’s on October 11, another bronze statue was unveiled on the steps of Confederation Building based on a sketching produced by Brittany Wiseman of Conne River. Created by Morgan MacDonald, this statue is dedicated to the Beothuk and is a significant project to honour their history and culture.

In addition, a mural created by Grand Falls-Windsor artist Craig Goudie was unveiled in the east block lobby. This beautiful canvas depicts a young Beothuk family and will be an important piece of our Indigenous artistic presentations.

Other pieces of artwork have been commissioned and we are working with Indigenous partners to plan for future unveilings. We thank them for collaborating with us to identify Indigenous artists and to deliver such powerful and meaningful commemorative displays.

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The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation:

Speaker, I recently had the opportunity to meet with provincial tourism leaders for the biannual Tourism Leadership Summit.

At the meeting, I was able to provide an update on the 2024 tourism season.

I was proud to share that this was a pivotal year for tourism in Newfoundland and Labrador and we have officially reached recovery in terms of surpassing the pre-pandemic visitation numbers.

In 2024, notably, air services have increased significantly with a 21 per cent capacity boost compared to 2023. Inbound non-stop air capacity numbers have consistently surpassed 2019 levels for several months.

Overall, the tourism and hospitality industry is making significant strides toward achieving the goals outlined in Vision 2026. To date, enhancements in air access capacity, the launch of a comprehensive tourism research plan, and a revised marketing strategy in collaboration with industry partners have been implemented.

Additionally, sustainable tourism practices are being promoted, targeted training for hospitality staff is underway, and local business partnerships are being strengthened to enhance visitor experiences, all while engaging with stakeholders to refine strategies for future success.

As we go forward, we remain optimistic about our growth and potential and, together with our stakeholders, will continue to showcase the unique beauty and culture of our province.

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Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Announces its 2024 Scholarship Winners

The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, is today announcing the recipients of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing’s 2024 Scholarships for tenants currently pursuing post-secondary studies.

Every year, NL Housing awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to high school graduates and to mature students who are pursuing a post-secondary education. To qualify, recipients or their legal guardians must be living in an NL Housing rental unit or in one subsidized by NL Housing.

This year there are 15 recipients, including six youth scholarship recipients and nine adult scholarship winners. Recipients are studying in various post-secondary disciplines, including commerce and nursing. Notably, three siblings from one home in Labrador City are pursuing an education in either of engineering, electrical studies, and the visual arts.

NLHC Youth Scholarship recipients include:

• Rovic Cinco of Labrador City is a graduate of Menihek High School attending College of the North Atlantic.
• Ethan Gillard of Twillingate is a graduate of J.M. Olds Collegiate and is attending College of the North Atlantic.
• Yasmin Alsherif of St. John’s is a graduate of Holy Heart of Mary High School and is attending Memorial University.
• Abaigeal Marsh of Bishop’s Falls is a graduate of Botwood Collegiate and is now attending Memorial University.
• Krista Snow of Mount Pearl is a graduate of O’Donel High School and is attending Memorial University.

Here are the NLHC Adult Scholarship winners:

• Ron Cinco of Labrador City is attending Memorial University.
• Ethan Clarke of Whitbourne is attending the Canadian Training Institute.
• Dakota Butler of St. John’s is attending Memorial University.
• Ashley Delaney of St. John’s is attending College of the North Atlantic.
• Mason Saunders of Labrador City is attending Algonquin College in Ontario.
• Ruth Cinco of Labrador City is attending College of the North Atlantic.
• Brandi Haynes of St. John’s is attending College of the North Atlantic.

Three recipients requested not to have their name shared publicly. Each scholarship is valued at $1,000.

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“Post-secondary education is a noble pursuit, and one that sets individuals on a path for a secure and prosperous future. I am pleased to congratulate the 15 recipients of these scholarships, and I wish them all success in their studies.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

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Newfoundland and Labrador’s Office of the Seniors’ Advocate (OSA) has released its annual Status Report on Recommendations 2023-2024.

The Seniors’ Advocate Act provides the legislative authority for the Seniors’ Advocate to make recommendations to government, government agencies, service providers and community groups to improve legislation, policies, programs, and services impacting seniors. The first recommendations were issued in 2019 and since that time, 57 per cent of the OSA recommendations have been implemented, 30 per cent have been partially implemented and 13 per cent have no measurable advancement.

The greatest advancement of the OSA recommendations are from the 2019 report Long May Your Big Jib Draw with 72 per cent implemented, 24 per cent partially implemented and 4 per cent not implemented. This represents an improvement in all categories over last year from 64 per cent, 28 per cent and 8 per cent respectively.

There has been less progress on the What Golden Years? report recommendations, which were issued to address the financial challenges seniors are facing. It is acknowledged that this report was released in November of 2023 and the covering period of the status report ended on March 31, 2024.

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“I am pleased that the majority of the recommendations made by the Office of the Seniors’ Advocate continue to move towards implementation. It is imperative that government advance on the OSA recommendations outlined in the What Golden Years? report, which are all related to improving the finances of seniors in this province. Seniors in Newfoundland and Labrador have the lowest income of seniors in Canada, and they are struggling.”
Susan Walsh
Seniors’ Advocate Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn more
Status Report on Recommendations 2023-2024

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The Provincial Government is reminding residents that the national emergency alerting system, Alert Ready, is scheduled to issue an emergency test message through television, radio and compatible wireless devices today, Wednesday, November 20, at 10:45 a.m. (NDT) and 10:15 a.m. (ADT) in most of Labrador.

Be advised some residents will not receive the test alert on their wireless device due to device compatibility, LTE network connection, cell tower coverage, device software and/or settings. Check your phone’s compatibility here.

As Canada’s emergency alerting system, Alert Ready delivers critical and potentially life-saving alerts through television, radio and compatible wireless devices. In 2023, the Alert Ready system distributed over 1,000 emergency alerts across Canada.

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The Provincial Government is closely monitoring the current labour situation at Canada Post and its impact on residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

If you receive benefit payments via cheque from the Provincial Government, please contact the applicable government department or agency to find out how you can continue to receive these payments without disruption.

Income Support
Individuals in receipt of Income Support payments via cheque can call 1-877-729-7888 for assistance.

Teachers’ Pension
For teachers’ pension enquiries, please phone 709-729-7054 or 709-729-7144, or email pensionerpayroll@gov.nl.ca.

Employment Services
For enquires about employment services, please phone 1-800-563-6600 or email EmploymentPrograms@gov.nl.ca.

Post-Secondary
Post-secondary students accessing the Student Aid Program should expect minimal impact due to the Canada Post labour dispute. Students should continue to utilize existing electronic channels for submitting any required documentation. Students can continue to send documents to studentaidmailbox@gov.nl.ca.

For any enquiries, post-secondary students can call 709-729-5849 or toll-free 1-888-657-0800, email studentaidenquiry@gov.nl.ca or visit the Student Aid Office in Coughlan College, 216 Prince Philip Drive, St. John’s Campus, Memorial University.

Supplier form
Additionally, we are encouraging any vendors still receiving payments via cheques to transition to direct deposit, if possible. Supplier Form – Treasury Board Secretariat

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The Provincial Government is advising residents that the national emergency alerting system, Alert Ready, is scheduled to issue an emergency test message through television, radio and compatible wireless devices tomorrow, Wednesday, November 20, at 10:45 a.m. (NST) and 10:15 a.m. (AST) in most of Labrador.

Some residents will not receive the test alert on their wireless device due to device compatibility, LTE network connection, cell tower coverage, device software and/or settings. Check your phone’s compatibility here.

As Canada’s emergency alerting system, Alert Ready delivers critical and potentially life-saving alerts through television, radio and compatible wireless devices. A partnership of federal, provincial and territorial emergency management officials, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pelmorex, the broadcasting industry and wireless service providers, the system ensures residents receive emergency alerts immediately, to take action and to stay safe.

In 2023, the Alert Ready system distributed over 1,000 public emergency alert messages to Canadians.

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills:

Speaker, everyone deserves the opportunity to obtain employment.

That is the purpose of our Supported Employment Program, which is essential in promoting inclusivity and expanding opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to find meaningful work.

This past year, we invested $10 million in the program, providing resources and services that helped more than 650 individuals participate in meaningful employment.

Individuals like Brock Pittman, who is currently watching from the public gallery. Brock is a second-year student studying political science at Memorial University and today is my mentee through Avalon Employment and MentorAbility NL. He was looking for a mentor in politics.

Initiatives like this open doors and create opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to thrive as valued members of our workforce.

We fund the Supported Employment Program because it is a compassionate approach, but also because it empowers people and makes our economy more productive.

Speaker, I urge my fellow MHAs to support this program, and to consider mentoring individuals within our communities, someone like Brock Pittman. Together, we can continue building a more inclusive Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.

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The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced support for a St. John’s financial tech company which is bringing machine learning innovation to its accounting intelligence and workflow automation software. Keen Payroll and Staffing will receive $284,000 from the Provincial Government for improvements to its MyKeen Financial Platform.

Keen Payroll and Staffing Inc. (Keen) was founded with a vision of streamlining the accounting processes for businesses, making the process more efficient, accurate and accessible. Keen aims to serve the evolving needs of small and medium-sized businesses with a comprehensive suite of offerings including accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, financial management, and tax compliance.

Unlike traditional accounting software solutions that primarily focuses on historical data analysis, the MyKeen Financial Platform will leverage advance machine learning algorithms to provide business intelligence, decision-making and automations rooted in predictive financial insights and foresight. The company will use machine learning to review data patterns and predict trends by including a broader set of historical, current and external data sources. The software allows users to forecast future financial conditions with greater accuracy and enables proactive decision-making and strategic planning.

The MyKeen platform also features an AI-driven interactive assistant which can understand complex requests, provide financial advice, and draft communications on behalf of accountants. It can also recommend actions based on the analysis of financial data. This level of interaction and support from an AI assistant is unparalleled in current accounting software offerings, setting MyKeen apart as a leader in innovative user engagement.

Through the proof-of-concept, Keen intends to demonstrate the technical feasibility of these innovations, assess their integration with existing software, and evaluate their impact on user experience and client service quality. This project will validate the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence within the platform to enhance financial predictions and client communication, with the goal of delivering a competitive product for the accounting industry.

This provincial investment helps leverage a $395,000 investment from the applicant.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador has shown itself to be a leader in financial technology. Our support for this project will contribute to job creation and skill development in high-tech fields, enhancing local employment and technical expertise. We are pleased to support Keen as it works to improve its product.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“We’re thrilled to receive support from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The MyKeen Financial Platform empowers accounting firms to leverage AI, providing SME clients with predictive insights and intelligent automation to make data-driven decisions confidently. This investment from the Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology accelerates our product development. We are incredibly excited to help transform accounting with our financial technology and contribute to the growth of our local ecosystem.”
James Lanning
CEO, Keen

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Learn more
Business Growth Program

Keen

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Individuals who receive the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit and the Early Childhood component of the Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement will see payments for these provincial benefits issued tomorrow, November 20, along with their federal Canada Child Benefit payment.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit is a tax-free amount of up to approximately $150-$170 per month per child under 18 years of age, depending on family size and income, to help low-income families with the cost of raising children.

The Early Childhood component of the Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement is an additional benefit of $150 per month per child paid to eligible families with children under the age of five to help with the cost of nutritious food. After the child is born, this benefit is provided to low-income families by the Provincial Government in addition to the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit. Both are included with the Federal Canada Child Benefit in a single monthly payment. Canada Post has agreed to deliver benefit cheques for the Canada child benefit and related provincial and territorial benefits for November 20, 2024.

The prenatal component, which helps with the cost of nutritious food during pregnancy, is delivered separately by the Provincial Government and is also issued this week. While pregnant, you can apply for the Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement by calling 1-800-508-4788 or filling out an online application at the link below. Once a child is born, both provincial benefits are automatically added to your Canada Child Benefit. If you receive this payment by cheque, the Department of Children Seniors and Social Development will contact you to make alternative arrangements for you to receive this benefit.

For more information, or to find our if you are eligible to receive either of these Government of Newfoundland and Labrador benefits, follow the links below:

Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit

Prenatal-Early Childhood Nutrition Supplement

For a list of payment dates, please click here.

In order to receive benefits, eligible individuals must ensure their annual income tax return is filed. If you need help filing a tax return and are in receipt of Income Support, please call a Client Services Officer at 1-877-729-7888.  Any person in low income who needs help filing their Income Tax can go to http://canada.ca/taxes-help or call the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800- 959-8281.

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Following another tremendously successful sold-out run last summer, Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s Come From Away will return for a third season at the Joseph R. Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre in 2025. Tickets are now on sale for performances from June 29 to August 31, 2025.

The breathtaking musical tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the communities in Newfoundland and Labrador that welcomed them on September 11, 2001.

Come From Away, is produced by You are Here Inc., a Newfoundland and Labrador not-for-profit theatre company established to produce the show in Gander. Under the creative leadership of acclaimed local director Jillian Keiley and original Come From Away producer Michael Rubinoff, the show has enjoyed significant success in Newfoundland and Labrador with more than 30,000 people seeing the production in the 2023 and 2024 sold-out seasons.

Premier Furey and the Provincial Government have made it a priority to share the Come From Away story with both residents and visitors. This effort celebrates the incredible kindness and compassion extended to the thousands of “come from aways” who were diverted to Gander and nearby communities in September 2001.

Come From Away’s book, music and lyrics are by Tony and Grammy nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath. Under the direction of Jillian Keiley, the production’s creative team includes Marc Kimelman (Choreography), Jonathan Monro (Music Direction), Shawn Kerwin (Scenic Design), Marie Sharpe (Costume Design), Leigh Ann Vardy (Lighting Design), Josh Liebert (Sound Design), Dayton/Walters Casting, CSA, CDC (Casting), Dianne Woodrow (Stage Manager) Pat Dempsey (Production Manager), Karl Simmons (Technical Director) and Renée Strasfeld (Associate Producer). Returning and new cast and band members will be announced in the new year.

Come From Away previews June 29-July 5, 2025, with an official opening night on July 6, 2025, running until August 31, 2025. Tickets for Come From Away at the Joseph R. Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre at 155 Airport Boulevard, Gander, are available here. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the box office at 709-256-1081 or emailing gaboxoffice@artsandculturecentre.com.

Steele Hotel Packages are available here.

Come From Away is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

Quotes
“Thanks to the creative and production teams, and the assistance of the Arts and Culture Centre Staff, Come from Away has been a remarkable success for the Gander region. Local restaurants and hotels saw increased business, and the Provincial Government is thrilled to have played a part in bringing the show to Newfoundland and Labrador. Last year’s performances were in high demand, so I encourage anyone planning to attend the 2025 show to secure their tickets early.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“Over two sold out summer seasons, 30,000 theatregoers from the province, country and from around the world have visited Gander and been deeply moved by the power of this homegrown production. We are thrilled to return to Gander for a third season with Newfoundland and Labrador’s first-class production. We look forward to continuing to share this inspiring story in the community where it unfolded.”
Michael Rubinoff
Producer

“We are so delighted to bring our homegrown Come From Away back to Gander again this year. Local and tourist audiences responded in such an overwhelming way to this beautiful story and the great talents we gathered to tell it over the past two summers. We can’t wait to get back to Gander and share it with even more audiences from home and away.”
Jillian Keiley
Artistic Director

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The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, will attend the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, November 19, at 10:30 a.m. to meet with their membership. The meeting is closed to media; Minister Byrne will be available to speak to media following.

The convention is being held at the St. John’s Convention Centre, St. John’s.

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The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today outlined a new proposed Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Act for second reading in the House of Assembly to complete the legal merger of Nalcor Energy into Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

The proposed Act Respecting the Amalgamation of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro-Electric Corporation and Nalcor Energy (Hydro Corporation Act, 2024):

• Finalizes the legal merger of Nalcor Energy with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
• Ensures all Nalcor and Hydro assets, liabilities, obligations and agreements will continue under the new Hydro.
• Provides for continuation of employment of Nalcor’s and Hydro’s bargaining and non-bargaining employees with Hydro.
• Binds the new corporation to any already signed contracts, agreements, etc.
• Confirms continuation of any security or guarantee provided by the Provincial Government to Nalcor with Hydro.

Section 30, a new provision under the act, is included to ensure there is an explicit legislative authority for the Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology to request documents and/or information from the corporation. This aligns with recommendations in the reports from Muskrat Falls Inquiry Commissioner the Honourable Richard D. LeBlanc and from the statutory review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA) conducted by former Chief Justice David B. Orsborn.

In addition, protections for commercially sensitive information carrying over to HCA 2024 are being narrowed to information relating to oil and gas activities only, which aligns with another recommendation from Justice Orsborn’s ATIPPA review.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Nalcor Energy are statutory corporations. Nalcor was created in 2007 under the Energy Corporation Act and Hydro continued under the Hydro Corporation Act, 2007. The Energy Corporation Act and the Hydro Corporation Act, 2007 will be repealed and replaced with the Hydro Corporation Act, 2024.  As a result, Nalcor’s and Hydro’s assets, liabilities, obligations and agreements will continue under the new Hydro and all Nalcor subsidiaries will be Hydro subsidiaries.

Upon proclamation of the Hydro Corporation Act, 2024, Hydro’s board will become the amalgamated company’s board.

Quotes
“Since the announcement that Nalcor would move under the new NL Hydro, there have been changes to streamline operations. Hydro continues to focus on providing safe, reliable electricity and focusing on maximizing the economic potential of its energy portfolio. This legislation allows for the amalgamation of the corporations to complete the legal portion of this merger.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“The proposed act now reflects the way we have been operating for the past several years, as one Hydro – your crown utility. We continue to listen and serve the people of the province as we work to deliver safe, cost-conscious and reliable electricity for our customers. Continual improvement should be the goal of any organization, and NL Hydro has improved, we are different, and we are committed to meeting the expectations of those we serve.”
Jennifer Williams
President and CEO, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

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Learn more
Hydro Corporation Act, 2024

Premier Furey and Minister Parsons Announce Nalcor Operations Moving Under Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

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The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality:

Speaker, I rise today to recognize November 25 as the launch of the Purple Ribbon Campaign and the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence.

This year’s theme, Come Together, Act Now, emphasizes the role for everyone, including men and boys, in changing social norms, attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence.

The campaign also invites us to use our voices and actions to help create a safer, more equitable Newfoundland and Labrador, free from violence, discrimination, and fear.

Last December we announced a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government that is seeing an investment of nearly $13.6 million over four years to support provincially tailored National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence initiatives.

Our government’s violence prevention efforts are grounded in multi-departmental and community partnerships focused on finding long-term solutions to gender-based violence.

We have formed the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council, where we are making positive strides to prevent violence, while creating a path forward toward justice, healing, and reconciliation.

We are also committed to establishing a ministerial-level committee to end gender-based violence. This work is in the very early stages, and we look forward to working with our community partners.

I invite all members of this House to join me at the Confederation Building on November 25 where we will honour the many women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals who have lost their lives due to gender-based violence.

Thank you, Speaker.

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The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, has mapped out 10 decisions and directions to be taken by the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the management, efficiency, and fairness of the 2025 snow crab fishery. Minister Byrne shared the plan with members of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union today at their Triannual Convention in Gander.

The plan to advance free enterprise is built on three pillars:

• A return to independent collective bargaining.
• Increased competition through increased processing capacity.
• Strengthened controls over corporate concentration.

Free enterprise through free, collective bargaining

1. As stated in writing by the FFAW, the process of binding arbitration through final-offer selection has not received the necessary support from both parties. Limits to freedoms of assembly and restrictions on collective bargaining must be supported by both parties to continue. At the direct request of the FFAW, price setting will be removed from the authority of the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel under the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act. The Act will be amended for conventional free collective bargaining to be conducted directly between the two parties, including the right to strike or lockout.

Increased competition through increased capacity

2. Outside buyer opportunities will continue in 2025.
3. The Fish Processing Policy Manual has been updated to this effect and will be published this week.
4. Applications for an outside buyer’s licence for 2025 will be accepted before the end of 2024 to allow for a reasonable business model to be explored by prospective licence applicants and for decisions to be made well before the start of the 2025 season.
5. Pre-existing caps on six Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab processing licences and facilities are now lifted, resulting in full capacity to buy according to free market principles.
6. Upon completion of the judicial review of the province’s fishery, additional snow crab licences may be considered in consultation with industry.
7. Production thresholds for snow crab will increase on the island portion of the province from 100 tonnes to 200 tonnes.
8. Minimum production thresholds will shift from a pre-established minimum production in two of five years, to a requirement to meet the minimum production threshold annually. Only clear and reasonable exceptions will be considered.

Free enterprise through control of corporate concentration

9. Changes are currently being drafted to the Fish Processing Licensing Policy Manual to prohibit the transfer of ownership or control of snow crab processing licences, as well as regulatory amendments to the Fish Inspection Act regulations to enact these measures. This will go beyond equity or share purchase arrangements, and include potentially controlling instruments, such as debt, and other financial instruments.

Preventing a reduction in capacity while enforcing these rules

10. In the event of a cancelled snow crab licence, a new licence will be re-offered to the region in which the original licence was located and operated. This will occur through a Request for Proposals licensing process with an increase in competition being the intended result.

While all directions announced today will contribute to more free enterprise in the fishery in 2025, the Provincial Government’s acceptance of the FFAW’s request to re-instate the right of both parties to strike or to lockout should negotiations on prices produce an unacceptable result to either party will be of particular interest to the industry. For more information, refer to the Backgrounder below.

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“The industry has called for more free enterprise. We understand this call and are acting on it. Increased capacity without any clear expectations of production is not real capacity – we are fixing that. Corporate concentration can be a toxin to competition and restricts free enterprise – we are acting on that. Binding decisions on final collective agreement language by third parties, coupled with a right to strike or lockout, are two approaches that are incompatible under any understood collective bargaining principle.  Any move that restricts or is inconsistent with free and fair collective bargaining that does not enjoy the support of both parties – harvesters and buyers – is not fair. All 10 of these decisions made under three pillars for decision making are intended to bring more free enterprise and better efficiency to the 2025 fishery.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

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BACKGROUNDER

Removing the right to authorize or declare a cessation of business dealings must have the consent of both parties to be consistent with norms and constitutional right to collective bargaining. With clear consent no longer being offered by the FFAW, the Provincial Government has readily agreed in principle to conventional collective bargaining for the setting of prices, including the right to strike or lockout.

As the government discussed directly and extensively with FFAW leadership at the recent meeting of the union’s Inshore Council on October 31, 2024, action on the union’s request would necessitate an end of binding arbitration in setting prices through the final offer section process under the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel. The move to the more conventional free enterprise model of collective bargaining cannot include both elements of binding arbitration and a right to strike or lockout, with the two outcomes being inconsistent with each other.

Under the universal model of freedom of assembly and freedom to bargain collectively, both the FFAW and the Association of Seafood Producers, representing the buyers, would hold a right to strike or to lockout respectively, and negotiations would be conducted directly between the two parties without hearings or binding decisions being made by a third party, the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel.

Amendments to the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act currently requiring price setting to occur under a binding arbitration process are already in drafting stage to allow for the law to reinstate the legal right of both parties to strike or lockout.

All other fisheries will remain governed under the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act and Final Offer Selection. Additional operational capacity is being examined to quicken the hearing and decision making of formal grievances.

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Following the incredible success of WestJet’s 2024 direct St. John’s-London Gatwick route, more progress is being made on the province’s international connectivity. This morning, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, joined representatives from the St. John’s International Airport Authority and WestJet to celebrate the extension of the direct flight to London-Gatwick through to 2027, as well as two additional direct European routes: Dublin, Ireland, and Paris, France.

In partnership with the Provincial Government, the St. John’s International Airport Authority has entered into an agreement with WestJet to operate the London-Gatwick flight four days per week, the Dublin flight two days per week, and the Paris flight one day per week. From May until October, Newfoundland and Labrador will have direct access to Europe seven days per week.

Air transportation is critical for connections to global and domestic markets, tourism, business and trade and for driving economic growth. Air access remains a top priority of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and work continues with all airport and airline partners.

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“This is a game-changer. From May to October, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will have direct access to Europe seven days per week. These are connections we helped facilitate, connections that help create tremendous opportunities for our province. Thank you to our partners at the St. John’s International Airport Authority and WestJet for their enthusiastic commitment to collaborating with our government.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Working alongside the St. John’s International Airport Authority and WestJet, we continue to make significant strides to enhance air access for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Air travel is crucial for our tourism, hospitality and travel sectors, and a large percentage of visitors to the province arrive by air, driving vital economic growth. I value our strong working relationships with our airport and airline partners and look forward to continuing to improve air access to our province.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

“With expanded non-stop service to London-Gatwick, the return of service to Dublin, and a brand-new destination in Paris, YYT has become a true gateway to Europe and key entry point into North America. These routes build on the success of last summer’s transatlantic service and reinforces our commitment to providing passengers with convenient access to key European destinations. We thank the Provincial Government for their ongoing efforts and advocacy to support air access, and WestJet for their valued partnership and continued commitment to St. John’s.”
Dennis Hogan
St. John’s International Airport Authority

“We know how critical transatlantic connectivity is to St. John’s — not only for those seeking a vacation abroad, but also for boosting the province’s inbound tourism and supporting economic growth. Introducing new service to Paris, returning direct service to Dublin, while enhancing connections to London is a direct response to the valuable feedback from the community and we’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with our government and industry partners. This announcement reflects WestJet’s continued commitment to the St. John’s community and our ongoing investments in the region.”
Andy Gibbons
Vice-President of External Affairs, WestJet

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The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, today announced more than $275,000 in scholarships for recent high school graduates as part of the Provincial Scholarship Program. The program recognizes high school graduates throughout Newfoundland and Labrador for their hard work, dedication, and academic achievements.

A total of 276 high school graduates are recipients of various scholarships, each awarded based on academic performance. Scholarships include:

• One Junior Jubilee Scholarship
• One Constable W.C. Moss Scholarship
• 120 Electoral District Scholarships
• 79 Centenary of Responsible Government Scholarships
• 75 Confederation 75th Anniversary Scholarships

All scholarships are valued at $1,000 each, except the Junior Jubilee Scholarship which is valued at $2,500.

The Junior Jubilee Scholarship is awarded to the student with the highest scholarship score in the province. This year’s recipient is Mitchell Griffin, a graduate of Corner Brook Regional High.

The Constable W.C. Moss Scholarship is awarded to a child of a member of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (active, retired or deceased) with the highest scholarship score (other than the Junior Jubilee Scholarship recipient). This year’s recipient is Zachary Hussey, a graduate of Laval High School in Placentia.

The 120 Electoral District Scholarships are awarded to three high school graduates in each electoral district with the highest scholarship score (other than the Junior Jubilee and the Constable W.C. Moss Scholarships recipients).

The 79 Centenary of Responsible Government Scholarships are awarded to the graduating students province-wide with the next highest scholarship scores (other than the Junior Jubilee, Constable W.C. Moss and the Electoral District Scholarships recipients).

This year, a new one-time scholarship was created. The Confederation 75th Anniversary Scholarships are presented to 75 graduating students to commemorate the province becoming a part of Canada. These scholarships are awarded to the students with the next highest scholarship scores after all other scholarships have been awarded.

A complete list of Provincial Scholarship winners and information on how scholarship recipients can receive their provincial scholarships can be found here.

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“Congratulations to all graduates receiving a Provincial Scholarship this year. I am impressed with the work ethic and determination in achieving your academic goals. Students in our province demonstrate commitment and desire to learn and further their education. I wish all scholarship recipients and all of our students the best of luck as they embark on their next educational endeavors.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education

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